LIBRARY^CONGRESS. 

Chap. Copyright No. 

ShelLi5^S:ZA ^ 



UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 




Here at this spring angels were wont to come. 



Page 28. 



IN LAMECH'S REIGN. 




A. GLANVILLE. 



TRANSLATED FROM RECENTLY DISCOVERED 
AND VERY VALUABLE MANUSCRIPT PO- 
ETRY OF THE ANTE-DILUVIANS. 



CHICAGO. 

A. FRANCOEUR & COMPANY. 
1896. 










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Copyright, r8g6, by A, Glanville. 
All rights reserved. 



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HISTORICAL. 

Showing that the following poem was undoubtedly 
founded upon facts. 

And a river went out of Eden to water the 
garden; and from thence it was parted, and be- 
came into four heads. The name of the first is 
Pison: that is it which compasseth the whole 
land of Havilah, where there is gold. — Genesis 
2: 10-11. 

Cain went out from the presence of the Lord, 
and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of 

Eden And he builded a city, and called 

the name of the city, after the name of his son, 
Enoch. And unto Enoch was born Irad: and 
Irad begat Mahujaei: and Mahujael begat Ma- 
thusael: and Mathusael begat Lamech: and La- 
mech took unto him two wives: the name of 
one was Adah, and the name of the other, Zil- 
lah. And Ada bare Jabal And his broth- 
er's name was Jubal; he was the father of all 
such as handle the harp and the organ. And 
Zillah, she also bare Tubal Cain, an instructor 
of every artificer in brass and Iron. — Genesis 
Jf: 16-22. 

The sons of God came in unto the daugh- 



ters o men and they bare children to them, the 
same became mighty men which were of old, 
men of renown. — Genesis 6: . 

And Cain built a city named Nod He 

built a city and fortified it with walls and called 
it Enoch. He augmented his household sub- 
stance with much wealth, by rapine and vio- 
lence. Lamech's son, Jubal, who was born of 
Ada, exercised himself in music, and invented 
the psaltery and the harp; but Tubal, one of 
his children by the other wife, exceeded all 
other men in strength, and was very expert and 
famous in martial performances. — Josephus. 



-^I^ 



Take me, O Muse, far back amidst first scenes : 
Let me drink in such strains as Jubal played 
When nature's face was perfect, ere the flood. 
Beside thee let me stroll where Pison flowed, ^ 
To east of Eden, and where mighty men, 
Long-lived, renowned, Cain's generations ruled. 
Unblind me to the glories of the days, 
O let my soul pour forth the tale of things, 
When Lamech reigned, son of Mathusael, 
And valorous and victorious Tubal led. 



'Jubal exercised himself in music, and invented 
the psaltery and the harp." 



.J 






IN LAMECH'S REIGN.* 



BOOK I. 



LOVE. 

Synopsis:— The trio, Jubal, Hannah and Rhoda, await 
the appearance of the messenger from the war. Their con- 
versation, during which Hannah malces known Aziel's ap- 
pearance to her. The messenger's report. Jubal repeats 
the legend of love. 



LOVE SONG. 

To be loved is just as sweet 

As 'tis to love; words that rise 
From my heart cannot repeat 

Their message; but, sweatheart, ray eyes 
Mirror all thy bliss! 

Love divine, so kindly blent 

Into all, and felt unspoken, 
Fell from heavenly heights, unpent 

When the golden urn was broken 
By some hand remiss. 

*ln which the author has tried not so much to make an 
interesting tale as to portray three of the governing at- 
tributes of mankind. 



1 6 IN LAMECH'S REIGN, 

Never dream so sweet before 

Held my heart so surely fast — 
Dream that whispers "wake no morel" 

My first love shall be my last 
In other world or this. 

Sweet was the voice that softly sang the song, 
While flowed melodious the notes from strings 
That seemed to thrill with life at Jubal's touch, 
For from that harp which knew no hand but his 
Came breathing sounds that silenced all the birds 
With wonder, and upon the bending branch 
They perched and listened spellbound while he 

woke 
Such strains as seemed part of celestial themes. 

Beside him sat fair Rhoda whom his heart 
Held pure as the lily newly bloomed, 
For fond affection such as lovers know 
Star-lit his day and dream. And she, his love 
i And color of his life, (daughter of Tishra, 
\ He who sat 'mong Enoch's honored men,) 
( Loved best his voice when it was tuned to woo. 
f And close beside her sister Hannah stood, 
( In her own musings lost, filled with fond thoughts 
( Of Tubal Cain, her lover, absent now, 
> For in distance remote, he, in the war 



That called his valor forth, was in the conflict, 
Foremost, There had her thoughts gone wan- 
dering; 
She saw him leading on the host, his ire 
The dreaded semblance of an unkind fate 
To every enemy. Or else she saw 
Him resting in his tent, his happier thoughts 
Not of the rage of battle, but of love. 
Of her. And when the tuneful echoes ceased 
And silence brought the feathered throng again 
Their sense of fear, unmoved still Hannah gazed 
Into the distance with a dreamy eye, 
In reverie lost, till Rhoda thus began: 

Rhoda. There is a dimness in your eyes that 

seems ^ 

Like twilight when the spirit wanders forth, 
Sweet sister mine; is there no charm for thee 
In scene and sound that hold entranced all else.? 

Hannah. What is the setting when the jewel's 

gone? 
This grass, these trees, are green, and yonder 

brook 
Runs careless onward, gurgling at its banks. 
And when prince Jubal sings the wonted charm 



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"1 



LV LAM EC IPS RE/GX. 



Is in sweet music. But true love is greater 
Than all these, and when affection such 
As Tubal's speaks to memory, it strikes 
All distance out and brings us to its source: 
Thus was I borne away. 

Rhoda. 'Tis sweet indeed 

To be so borne away; next happiest state 
To being with our loves. But let our hearts, 
Combining, call you back again. 

Hannah. They do. 

Your love comes to my soul as comes the dew 
Upon the thirsty flowers. Yet the rain 
Must fall in drenching streams to make them live. 
His love's the rain unto my soul that yearns, 
As whose, indeed, does not? for more than balmy 
Breaths of sympathy. I'd have him great 
Yet would I give his glory for his presence, ^ 
And be so happy with the exchange that all 
My hoarded smiles would fly into my lips. 

Twas only yester eve that, going forth 
Into the garden just when comes the hour 
That changes day into the night, I knelt 
Beneath the trees, and lifting up my eyes 
I asked a token of my lover's welfare. 



L. 




A seeming vision of heaven's lovliness 
To give me angel converse. 
— Page 21. 



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L. 



IN^ LA ME CH' S REIGN, 2 1 

Ah! and then among the branches like 
A falling leaf came fluttering down 
A seeming vision of heaven's loveliness 
To give me angel-converse. Loosely flowed 
His silver-silken robe his shoulders o'er 
And fell around beneath his snowy wings, 
Half hiding that perfected form that we, 
Poor dwellers of the earth, do have no more. 
His face benign and eyes like drops of love, 
His moulded limbs, self painted with the glow 
Of animated life, with loveliness 
So stunned me that I knelt in sudden silence, 
My half -spoken prayer upon my lips, 
Gazing transfixed upon him. With a step 
So light as scarcely seemed to bend the grass 
Beneath his feet, he with such grace approached 
Me that the bending even of his knee did seem 
Significant of music; and in voice 
Melodious fell from his lips these words: 
"Our God, fair servant bid me answer those 
Who love him." 

With one deep drawn sigh of 

rapture 

I became as a new-planted flower 



1 



IN L A ME Ch'S RE IGN. 



In the sun, and with th' excess of beauty 
Or of love, I know not which, in tears 
I bent before him. 

JUBAL. Ah ! God's trusted one » 

'Twas he they call Aziel. He has come 
In troubled times to others of our land. 
Hannah. Full soon my scattered thoughts re- 
turning, thus 
I faltering spoke: "O heavenly messenger, 
Thou knowest all my heart, first tell me is 
My lover well, and will he gain such fame 
As victors crave?" and then again he spake 
In that rich angel-voice, "Fair servant, great 
Is Tubal Cain, Havillah's mighty prince. 
Fear not, for he is seen by those beyond 
The stars that chain fair heaven in. Rest thou 
Content, for woe is banned from heaven, and 

should 
He fall what could we do but weep?" Again 
I asked: "And will he be victorious?" 
Thus answered he: "The just can never fail." 
"But will my lover come as conqueror comes. 
The saviour of his land?" persisted I. 
He answered not, but thrice his downy wings 

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IV LAMECH'S REIGiW 



He wafted, and into the swadowy night 
Arose and passed away hke a soft zepher. 

^ Thus Hannah ceased, and Jubal would have 
spoken, 
Rhoda too, so strong the interest 
Of this angehc visitation spun 
Its storied charm about them both, had not, 
Meanwhile, the messenger appeared, and now 
With that abruptness born of hardy life — 
His low obeisance turning all their thoughts 
With startling suddenness to lower themes — 
And sentence brief, he thus accosted them: 

Messenger. Your pardon, though I have some 

moments stood, 
Not being able to deliver what 
Is now no more a charge. 

Jubal. We pardon thee; 

For such a wondrous incident so filled 
Our ears we heard you not approach. If you 
Do wear your thoughts in open countenance 
We have no news to. dread. Then what advance 
Has Tubal's courage made, and what of him 
Of whom the angels seem solicitous? 

Mess. According to the compact made between 



"1 



2 4 /iV LAME C//' S REIGN, 



Your worthy selves and Tubal Cain the while 

He yet was in Havillah, I do serve 

To let you know his fortunes, which, as far 

As war's wild clamors go, is turbulent 

As stormy sea. They meet us blow for blow, 

But mighty Tubal Cain has hope, and leads 

With eye as clear and arm as strong as when 

He left the court. He bade me first of all 

Repeat his love to her who loves him most. 

Hannah. Traitorous prince, to think of women 

ere 
Th' affairs of state. 

Mess. Next did he charge me give 

This missive into her own hands, which now 
1 do. To all he sends his fondest greetings, 
Steadfast in the true determination 
Soon or late will bring our honest cause 
Success. This is the very sum of all 
The sundry items to the king writ out 
At length, save that unnumbered warriors fell 
When last we met the stubborn enemy, 
And more are made to mourn. 

JUBAL. Ah, true, indeed ! 

And must the pain of lesser lives be felt 



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IN LAMECH'S REIGN, 25 



To ir.dke our heroes great ? Thus do th' extremes 
Of love and duty meet and bring life's sadness 
In. O, War ! how many years meanest thou 
To stay? How many an eye, red-fingered thou 
Hast closed since first the direful news of this 
Invasion came! And yet not surfeited 
Alone with blood, rich in its fearless flow, 
As though thy heart had thirsted for an age. 
You vengeful hold the cup of bitter grief 
To mothers', fathers', sisters', trembling lips. 
That, drunken down, quite chokes life's color out 
And leaves but woful years! What curious 
Mixture of a stuff is Fate that broods 
Oe'r such as this? 

Mess. I beg you do not think 

Upon this strain, most worthy prince; believe 
Me, 'tis not meet for a musician's soul. 

JUBAL. 1 love it not, indeed. God grant the 
day 
Miiy speedy come when all this strife will end. 

Meanwhile to Hannah Rhoda spoke with fond 
Caiess: Go, sister, for thy heart saith thou 
Wouldst rather be alone to read the lines 
Which are thy very own. I know, being 




IN LAMECH'S REIGN. 

Woman, how much the sweeter are such words 
When lingered oe'r unwatched by others' gaze. 

Hannah. Sweet sister mine, your eyes are 

wondrous wise: 
What's in these few small leaves within my heart 
Must be in secret locked, for love is real 
To those who love tho humor to all else. 
Not many hours shall hold us so apart; 
A short farewell that shall not last a day. 

And looking back with happy smile ere lost 
To view far in the turning pathway, Hannah 
Went. Unto the arm^d messenger 
Turned Rhoda, and impulsively arose 
These words upon her lips: 

Rhoda. Messenger, how' looks 

Prince Tubal Cain } and is he well ? and does 
He smile when one by chance of Hannah speaks? 
And does he seem to love her as she him ? 

Mess. Fair maiden, I am past my prime, and 

this 
My hair is turning from its color; but I know 
What 'tis to love, and know the signs of love. 
Even in the falling eyelash, or a sigh, 
A blush — which is 'bove all, a woman's chief est 



IN LAMECH'S REIGN. 27 

Jewel — lovers hold their secrets up 
That whosoever hath observant eye 
And spark of humor in his soul, do know 
The purport of. And when prince Tubal sent 
Of late this message to his love, I could 
But think how often in a passing glance 
Great destinies are caught. Could heaven take 
The last drop of all filial love from out 
Her heart, and pour it full of love for him 
Until it overflows, yet would his heart — 
Held it no more— seem like an empty vessel; 
So great his heart is and so deep his love. 
But let not briefness for unkindness be 
Mistook, tho more I say not. I am charged 
With me ssage to the king. I have too long 
Delayed. And with your gentle leave 1 will 
Toward the expectant court to finish this, 
In warlike times that roar about us now, 
A journey hazardous. God bless you both. 

V Rhoda. How did his stern soul melt into his 

V words. 
Remembering: *i know what 'tis to love". 

JUBAL. The source of joy to those who have 
^rown old 



m LAMECH'S REIGN. 




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When time has dulled all else. It is, indeed, 
The spirit's blood and precious part of us. 
There is a legend old concerning it 
I think you have not heard. Thus it is told: 

There is in bright Elysium a spring 
That sends the waters of undying love 
Eternal forth into the flowering meadow. 
A spring set in among lilies abloom 
Which never die in heaven, its pure stream 
Runs on amid adorned banks until 
It enters and is lost into the calm 
Unceasing flow of life's eternal river. 
Here at this spring angels were wont to come 
Upon heaven's festivals, and take into 
Their urns of pearl the waters of love that they 
Might pledge their deep devotion and renew 
The soul with that refreshment which it craves. 
And so it was that Ajal filled his urn. 
And on his flake-like wings began his flight 
Returning. All was well save that the earth 
Was young; and setting down the urn upon 
The ramparts of the city, down he looked 
To see the earth, the latest gift of God 
To lesser beings — work miraculous 



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JUBAL. Flowei-b 

Are always on the lea when summer's in 
The heart. 

—Page 32. 



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IiV LAME CW S REIGN. 3 1 

Even in an angel's eyes. Long gazed he down 
In raptured wonder lost, till with a sigh 
He rose with thoughtful mein, forgetting all 
Else but such mighty work, what time his arm 
O'erturned the urn, and like thick falling rain 
Its contents fell down, down upon the earth. 
Ah ! then it was the world grew beautiful 
Indeed! For then full-blown the flowers first 
Were sudden born, and where each drop did fall 
Some scented bloom upsprang. And trees that now 
Do bear us fruit in season, then first shook 
Their petals out and showed the sun their blossom. 
Earth and all her trees and shrubs and plants 
Ecstatic shivered, and burst forth into 
Their myriad colors, blent harmoniously, 
So beautiful that those whose eyes ne'er saw 
In happiest dreams imagine only part. 

Such is the legend old, and held by some 
As something sacred. 

Rhoda. It is beautiful ! 

JUBAL. So beautiful we cannot call it false: 
Still may it be a tale told to fill up 
An empty hour, poured out from poet's lips 
To solitude. Our hearts ask not the source; 



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32 IN LAMECH'S REIGN, 

From birth to death, and all the time between. 
We feel the truth that love's so mixed in all 
It links us with the unconscious tree that spreads 
Its green leaves to the sun. And when we meet 
As you and I, and friendly looks the soul 
Unto a friend, how more than sweet to feel 
The thrill of love, new-born, and not in vain. 

Rhoda. We love the rose abloom, but when it 
fades — 
What do we with our roses when they fade ? 

JUBAL. If this my love for you should fade 

and die 
Dream then no longer of eternal things, 
For that same hour know that my spirit ceased ! 
My love shall be to thee the sheltering forest. 
Warding off the storms of life that fret 
And toss the soul— aye, and 't shall hold aloof 
The summer sun lest some fierce ray should burn 
Thy tinted cheek. 

Rhoda. And when the autumn comes ? 

JUBAL. It never comes to truest love. Flowers 
Are alv/ays on the lea when summer's in 
The heart. But should it be, then would I pile 
The driftwood on the hearth and there enfold < 






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IN LAMECH'S REIGN. 



Thee in undying warmth. I love thee truly— 
Do not doubt my love. 

Rhoda. I do not doubt, 

hideed. Love-laden words, sweet delicacies 
Of the tongue, lose not their charm in speech. 
'Tis woman's fault to like their mellow sound: 

"To be loved is just as sweet 
As 'tis to love. Words that rise 

From my heart cannot repeat 

Their message; but, sweetheart, my eyes 
Mirror all thy bliss." 



"Mighty men, men of renown. 




"1 




PATRIOTISM. 



Synopsis— Hannah, having returned to her chaml>or and 
read her lover's message, her mind ri'verts to the incidents 
which have contrived to separate tliem. 1st.— The war: 
2nd.— Their General's death, the resolution of Tubal Cain 
and his departure. 

Meanwhile alone within her chamber Hannah 
Sat. Upon her lap the letter lay, 
And down beside her feet the wrapper torn 
Across. With elbow resting on her knee 
And nestling cheek deep-seated in her palm, 
She through the open casement looked across 
The garden in deep thought. 

The happy smile 
Still lingered on her lips, called forth by those 
Sweet lines that lay unheeded in her lap, 
And memory fond, unsurfeited with what 
The present held, brought back the past, and bid 
Ethereal fancy raise the sombre scene: 

And war was in Havillah. Foreign foe 



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38 IN LAMECH'S REIGN. 

Had trespassed on their shores with v/arlike signs, 
Possessed himself of part of their fair land, 
And dared resist in boldness and disdain. 
Then had the insult's bitter feeling come, 
Kindling; a patriotic lire that 
Even a mother's teardrops could not quench ; 
The peaceful instrument thrown down to grasp 
The battle blade, and went their general forth, 
With gathered host, in stern array — the tramp 
Of trained feet, the clattering hoofs, all mixt 
Amidst the thunder of grim wheels, and all 
To meet the foe, and some to meet their death. 

This Hannah saw and then another scene: 

Days intervened, and weeks and months made 

up 
The passing seasons, yet no peaceful signs, 
Till weary of the burden of the times. 
King Lamech called his trusted councilors 
And state affairs they with grave mein reviewed. 
There honored Ashur stood with serious face, 
In thoughtful attitude; he who, when ranged 
Bold Zeram's band over Havillah's plains, 
Had by sage council saved his city, Nod, 



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AV LAMECH'S REIGN, 39 

From plunder. Near him sat Othniel; he 
Whose warlike mood shone through his reverence, 
For in his youth full many a foe had felt 
His iron strength: and others, mighty men, 
Men of renown — Joachem, Pileser, 
Dositham, Malchan, Ush, Noachial 
And Jashuk. There prince Jubal stood, far-famed 
In gentleness and song; prince Tubal Cain, 
Renowned for strength and brave and martial 

deeds; 
And others were who bore their fears upon 
Their visages. 

Then were the hours filled up 
With totals and particulars, and grave 
Discussions and debates, till lo ! amidst 
It all, uncalled, abrupt and heedless, burst 
A messenger, spent with his haste and terror. 
Crying out, "O worthy king, the general's slain ! 
Our noble general's dead !" And turning all, 
They saw him quaking stand, with woful face, 
In fear lest in their wrath some hand might strike 
Him down. Dead, dead ! O from that word 

what ghosts 
Arise ! And when the messenger speaks on 



IN LAMECH'S REIGN. 

It is more woe: *'0 pardon, noble king ! 
The warriors' loud lament more awful is 
Than all the din of war. In him we all 
Are slain, for those who stand up in his stead 
Lead on hut to defeat; and Enoch's walls 
Shall save us not unless his like arise." 
Then were there lamentations, then grim looks 
Forshadowing dire revenge, and exclamations 
And resolves such as great men are wont 
In wrath to speak; and Malchan, far-famed son 
Of Kishi, thus: 

"O Lamech, king of all 
Havillah. Well he knew how dangerous 
His charge, but without fear he was and true 
To his own land and us. I weep for us 
Who lose him. Between Enoch's walls and those 
Who lead our enemy, he was a wall 
Without a wall, 'gainst arms impregnable. 
In Dor, when sore oppressed the Ithnan host, 
He cleft a way through the opposing ranks 
And led liis followers out. And when there broke 
The dreadful thunder of the Elon war 
Upon us, who dared to come out against 
His mighty arm ? Who is there cannot cite { 



IN LAMECH'S REIGN, 41 

Some instance of his valor ? All for what ? 
Because he loved his land and all therein ! 
And shall his fall so fire the common heart 
That children shall be warriors grown with 

thoughts 
Of full revenge !" 

Then old Othniel thus 
The silence broke with angry mood: "O had 
I back my youth ! Tis age's curse to have 
An eye to see and not the power to do ! 
To live to see such foreign foe to come, 
March on unchallenged, and when send we forth 
Hack off our limbs and laugh to see us bleed. 
O, you who plead for peace, let drift your souls 
Some farther out and see us as we are; 
The time is ripe, and hastes its harvest day. 
Shall we be traitors to the day and need 
That call for sacrifice, and murder virtue 
Lest our selfish bodies want ? I speak, 
And speak for many more, that this the land 
1 love shall drink my feeble blood ere I 
Will live my few remaining years the slave 
Of those who plunder us. My strength is past, 
Yet can I weep and die to feel the hurt 



42 /y^ LAM EC US REIGN, 

And see our valor ebbing out. O words ! 
Are ye our all? O for some hand to do!" 

Thus aged Othniel spoke. 'Gain Hannah saw 
The tempest stir the heart of Tubal Cain, 
Till now, with honor tlashing from his eye 
And stern determination on his face, 
He rose up midst them as one when the last 
Stay of his patience totters and falls down, 
And deep emotion bursts forth uncontrolled 
Until the spiirt shakes the very limbs 
That hold it captive, and he thundered forth: 
•'Before high heaven 1 swear that I will lift 
This, Tubal's hand, and I will die before 
The cause be lost !" Then fixed their many eyes 
Themselves upon him; saw the valor tlame 
Into his cheek, and saw his mighty arm 
Uplifted, not in anger but as one 
Who registers a solemn vow before 
The unforgetting God. None spake until 
At last old Rumah found protesting voice: 

Rl.mah. There may be peace, O prince, with- 
out more deeds 
Of blood. 



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/JV L A ME CH' S REIGA\ 4 5 

Tubal. That may be true for others; for my- 
self 
I cannot longer sleep contentedly 
Neglecting what has been bequethed to me. 
I ask but what is honest, and the call 
Of duty will not let me calmly stand 
And see my own and rightful property 
Be stewarded by others. 

RUMAH. Shall we give 

More heroes' blood for a few feet of clay .? 

Tubal. Do you, when sickness comes and 

steals away 
The sunshine from the eyes you fondly love, 
The rose-red from the lips, the sprightliness 
That marks the body in its happy state. 
Leave the afflicted one in death's cold grasp 
And say "take this but take no more" .? Or do 
You quick apply such remedies as bring 
Again the glow of health into the cheek, 
The light into the eye, with prayers to God 
Your treasure be not lost ? This too is true: 
The country needs a patriot where home 
Doth need a friend. Peace is a word too often 
Used to cloak men's cowardice. Thy scant 



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) 46 



IN LAMECH'S REIGN. 



Aged argument thou wilt do well to spout 
Upon some infant mind where have not yet 
Sweet patriotism been awaked from sleep. 
I will be true to honor or will lay 
This lifeless clay before some stronger arm. 

RUMAH. Perhaps some of my youthful fire 

burns out, 
But yet experience hath not dulled my mind. 
I know it for a truth that it is far 
More easy to advance than to retreat. 
Weigh well your thoughts; I, too, have fought, 

and know 
The sweetness of success, but if — 

Tubal. if ? say 

Not if to m.e; a treacherous, hollow word, 
Which now smacks of a sound that's traitorous. 
I'll waste no more these moments when an hour 
May save a kingdom. Let our people know 
That Tubal Cain no longer stays, for here 
And now I say to all, farewell. 

But scarce 
The words had fallen from his lips, when she, 
Fair Hannah's self, o'erwrought and nervous, 
stood 



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IN LAMECH'S REIGN. 47 



A moment on the portal, for that word 
"Farewell" had stolen her will and blanched her 

cheek 
Into a deadly whiteness. She, next moment, 
Clutching his arm, and with uplifted face 
And woful, thinking not but of his safety 
Whom she loved, was looking in his eyes, 
While he, stunned by her sorrow, stood quite still. 
With head bent down, as though some power un- 
seen 
Had robbed him of his speech. 

" Give up the light, 
Perhaps the life" she said, ''that hath in it 
The lives of all of us ? Farewell ? No, no ! 
O let these eyes of mine be suns to melt 
Away your icy will !" 

Tubal. Sweetheart, they are 

The sun, the moon and all the stars to me.. 
None other could thus move me for I love 
You more than I do love all else. Make me 
Not think the voice of duty stronger than 
The voice of truest love. No sacrifice, 
No victory. Let these your misty eyes 
Grow brighter, for I shall return and soon. 



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"1 



IN LAMECH'S REIGN. 



) Hannah. Ah, if I hmio thou wouldst. O do 

\ but take 

\ The danger from the times and I will rest \ 

) Content indeed. But war is waged to kill. 
O say you will not go ! Look you but on 
Thy kingly father, aged with this new grief, 
His head bent forth until it rests upon 
His bosom, and fast gathering tears o'erflow 

> The lids and fall upon his royal robe — 

/ A voice that more than speaks. O do not go! 

( We may be happy though not conquerors. 

Tubal. Would that I heard no other voice 

than this! 
It cannot be. Now doth the future need 
A friend. The present bitterness shall be 
The seed to bring us happy harvest. When your 
Sweet voice cannot persuade none else need 

speak. 
But ask me not to hide my face when times 
Are dangerous. 'Tis but your love that speaks, 
Not your whole self. When time has shown to 

you 
How groundless are your fears, 'twill also show 
The justness of my way. 1 charge you keep 



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IN" LAMECH'S REIGIST. 



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49 



The clouds away from these now rainy eyes: 
Farewell ! 

And he with many a backward glance 
Had gone, and left her drooping in the arms 
Of those who loved her less. 

Thus had it been; 
And thus did fancy call it up again 
From out the shadowy past; and Hannah's soul 
Grew wondrous sad, and kindly folding up 
The re-read missive, she, with lips from which 
The smile had faded, kissed it with a sigh. 



.J 




'Tubal exceeded all other men in strength, and 

was very expert and famous in martial 

performances.'' 



BOOK 



GREATNESS. 

Synopsis.— Jubal repeats to Rhoda the beginning of the 
final conflict; its progress; the generous love of Tubal Cain 
shown at the defeat of prince Tasmah. and its reward. 

Beside the bank of that clear rivulet 
Which had their only listener been so oft 
They loved it, sat Jubal and Rhoda. She 
With happy countenance drank in his words, 
While he, his brother's praises on his lips, 
Recounted Tubal Cain's heroic deeds 
With voice of love that seemed to take away 
The awfulness of war: 

Nor night nor day 
When through the broken shadows of the east, 
In robes of gray, the Spirit of the Morning 
Came; and slow her step and sad her heart 
As down across the unhappy hill she moved 
Contemplating. For in her mind was bom 



54 



IN LAMECH'S REIGN-. 



Th' impending horrors of the day that soon 

Would break the stillness. And her soft caress 

Lingered as she woke the violet 

And daisy, saying: "Soon the sun will see 

Your fragrance quite crushed out, your beauty 

lost, 
Beneath unheeding feet, and you shall lift 
Your kindly eyes to those that feel no pity. 
A tiny seed set out, your little lives 
Have hoarded up the summer sunshine's cheer, 
The dewdrop's purity, the evening's glow, 
And blending all into your happy lives 
Are pleased to be the jewels of the grass. 
O happy flowers! No pomp, no vanity; 
Content to bud and bloom in modest worth. 
O that great man might spend his given time 
Half so devout: that when there comes full bloom 
Of manhood we might say, 'Here is combined 
The virtue of his season, and the smile 
Of charity, the fragrant breath of peace.' 
But no. Deep in his heart is set the thought 
Of conquest, and his eye, so coated o'er 
With the thin film of pride, looks eager out 
Toward the rapine and the violence 



r 




The Spirit of the Morning. 



L 



J 



IN LAMECirS REIGN. 57 

Filling the days. How fiendish Hell shall laugh 
This woful day to see heaven's mortals bleed, 
For ere the sun has reached one-fourth his course 
The trembling air shall thicken with the souls 
That wing their way from this unhappy vale. 
Ah ! many an eye shall ope in yonder tents 
To close again while yet the day is full: — 
Approaching morn throws her gray signals out; 
I must away. Alas! the hour has come." 
And frightened from the scene, with hurried steps 
She noiseless passed beyond the western hill. 



Approached the day. Roused up the slumb'ring 

camps, 
Grim preparations for the conflict made 
That soon would shake the vale of Kirzaith-Arba. 
Long lines of moving bodies gathered thick } 

To squares and columns, as if some great arm I 

Invisible reaehed out and them toward 
One common center swept. They outward 

moved, 
Each arm^d host to slaughter bent, and met 
With thunderous roar. As when the lowering 

clouds 



IN LAMECirS REIGN. 

Meet in mid-heavens, and grows dark the day 
And fearful, till there falls the horrid flash 
And then hoarse-bellowing the tempest comes, 
So did this battle break. And downward looked 
The ascending sun, dull-blazing as it climbed, 
And watched them till high noon. 

Tumultuous 
Around arose the wrack of war — the clash 
Of arms, the thunder of the chargers' hoofs, 
And thick as leaves from trees shaken by chilling 
Autumn winds the heroes fell. Amidst 
It rose the form of Tubal Cain, his spirit 
Spreadmg till it made all near him seem 
His lesser counterparts. When downward came 
His iron arm so surely fell a foe. 
For no one was who could withstand his strength. 
Clearly and far around his eye surveyed, 
Bespeaking mind tireless, and when and where 
His heavy blade uplifted shone it was 
Grim, heeded sign for foemen to retreat 
And followers to advance. He stood alone: 
O, all the woful years had been a day 
Had we a solid phalanx such as he! 



L. 



IN LAMECH'S REIGN. 59 

But raged the battle on because there were 

No other Tubals. Warriors less renowned 

Fell in the trodden dust, their giant souls, 

Wrenched from their falling habitats of clay, 

Leave-taking with a shudder. The feverish day 

Not man alone felt. Chargers riderless. 

Dilating nostrils giving signs of fear, 

Over the prostrate form plunged uncontrolled: 

Or foaming, fiery steeds, undriven, dragged 

The reckless car, and on its floor stretched out 

The warrior lay, whose breast inanimate 

No longer felt the deadly spear transfixed 

His heart, relaxed his guiding grasp, and turned 

Eager advance into retreat terriffic. 

O, how the unfeeling fates together clash 

The elements when two such equal armies 

Meet ! Discordant thus the hosts of earth 

Or hell care not to strive, nor can unceasing, 

And the end of this great battle came, 

Yet not with stormy fury of revenge, 

But in such act of nobleness as seemed 

A kindly lily left untouched within . 

A trampled garden. 



"1 



63 /.V LAMECirS REIGN. 



Came now forth a foe^ 
And in his veins ran royal blood, no less 
Than Tasmah, son of the opposing king, 
Havillah's enemy, against our great 
And valiant prince. In times of peace they would 
Have met in courtesy and kindness, but 
So wrought by warfare's bitterness, that form 
Fashioned to be admired, was but a prized 
Receptacle that held appeasing blood. 
Long time they fought, for none so exercised 
Prince Tubal's prowess as this royal foe. 
Afar their glittering, weildy weapons shone, 
And lesser warriors kept far back beyond 
Their awful reach. Now did each moment seem 
To be the herald of disastrous fall 
Of him 'gainst whom the fates their anger raised, 
But with full stroke impending doom was 'scaped, 
Or else protecting shield proved worthy guard. 
And 'gain the disturbed air, their thunderous blows 
Feeling, hissed at their blades. So fought they 

on 
Yet could not always fight, being mortal: 
And heaven or chance or fate or hell decreed 
The final blow of all the war had come — 



As comes the final crash of forest tree, 

Huge, shaking all the woods — when Tasmah 

turned 
His glinting, savage weapon, cleaving part 
Of Tubal Cain's conspicuous helmet off, 
So close the thirsty steel descending moved. 
Unhappy stroke! For with his massive strength 
Prince Tubal plucked away the falling blade, 
Which, like a straw struck by the angry gust, 
From Tasmah's grasp a sudden parting took, 
And leaping wildly from him sought the earth 
In dangerous circuit. Before our prince, 
Unsuccored, Tasmah fell, vanquished, undone, 
And from his lips the blood inconstant fled. 
For well he saw in that stern countenance 
The shortness of his life. Then, as if some 
Great sadness came upon him, sigh escaped 
Him great as seemed to rend his heart in twain. 
And raising up anon an anguished face 
These words fell from his lips: 

"Think not that fear 
Thus moves me, valorous Tubal Cain. My life 
Is thine, and bravely hast thou won a prize 




n 



IN LAMECH'S REIGN. 



L, 



That other foes risked death to gain and gained 
Death in the risk. But yet 1 know the bravest 
Are most merciful. Perhaps thy neck 
Hath felt the fond caress of woman's arms. 
If thy great heart doth know true love's eternal 
Warmth, — if thou hast loved, remember her 
Who loves thee, and then think how one do love 
Me, virtuous and beautiful as she. 
Could this unfeeling blade dispatch at once 
Both she and 1, then would we not say 'hold'. 
But ah ! that lingering and mysterious death 
That sometimes we call grief: to think how life's 
Long bitterness will slowly steal the roses 
From her cheeks, bend down her queenly form 
And wrinkle that fair brow before life's winter 
Comes, makes me to speak for her. If thy 
Lips hast not breathed forth vows to virtuous 

woman, 
Let that mighty stroke fall down at once 
Lest thou shouldst think I make a craven plea." 

As when the storm is passed, the sun comes 
forth, 
And nature takes her fair serenity 










But nature's blank indifference that sat 
On all the scene. . . . 
— Page 67. 



L 



IN LAMECH'S REIGN. 65 

Again, so changed the wrathful countenance 
Of Tubal Cain. His warlike aspect vanished; 
Down at his side his harmless weapon fell, 
Over his face love's sunshine came again, 
And in a voice so kind he seemed to speak 
To one he loved, he said: "Go prince, and may 
God speed thee." 

"O, what noble act!" cried Rhoda. 

*' 'Twas truly so" said Jubal: "and it was 
Rewarded nobly. For the vanquished prince 
Returning to the presence of the king, 
Made known the happenings of the day— for 

now 
The night had come and both the armies had 

Retired unvictorious to their tents— 

And spake in such a way of Tubal's deeds, 

His valor and his honor, as to move 

The old, stern king to sympathy, to tears. 

'O worthy king and father,' thus the prince; 

'1 had been honored to have such a one 

For executioner. But when it seemed 

That I must part this life, before my eyes 

Its every beauty flashed. 



L_ 



66 IN LAMECH'S REIGN, 

The scenes I loved, \ 

The seaward flowing stream that wound along j 

Until its dimmer line was lost among ^- 

The rising willows; the hills and thickets where ) 

Angelic spring changed by a smile the cold, ^ 

Dead snow into a living vesture; where { 

Loved summer with her magic touch did change 
The blossom into fruit, and where we saw 
The solemn autumn come, and gath'ring up 
Tne beauty of the seasons thrust them all 
Into a few short glorious days. This all 
Before me came, then her sw^eet face stole in 
And then my heart cried out whether i would 
Or no. And this my love so moved him that 
1 found this mighty conqueror, this stern 
And valiant foe, had so much soul in him 
That at the slightest feeling it did bubble 
At his eyes. O king! this hand shall raise 
No more against such noble enemy.' 

'Well thou resolvest' spoke the king, in deep 
Emotion shaken; 'and such worthy deed 
Far as our tardy efforts doth allow, 
Shall be at once and in his mood repaid. 



L 



IN LAMECH'S REIGN. 67 { 

Let every hostage go, and more than that, j 

Let richest gifts be piled up much as their 
Full arms will hold— and us tomorrow's sun 
Shall find not where we planned to be, for from 
These famed but kindly shores we will return, 
Not as an arm^d host that homeward bring 
The plunder of sacked towns, but with the rich 
And untold treasure of a new-found love 
That conquers us within. Aye, Tubal shall 
Be held now and forever in repute, 
A reference in the heart of all that hath 
A noble soul.' 

"And thus it was: for when 
Fair morn had brushed aside the gathered dews 
Our warriors found no enemy; they saw 
But nature's blank indifference that sat 
On all the scene, unbroken save whence stood 
Their tents came our own countrymen laden 
With richest gifts, and bearing on their tongues 
Many a version of this happy end." 

Thus Jubal ceased; and looking in her eyes. 
And she back into his, so lovingly, 
So fond, their thoughts shone forth in happy smiles. 

/ 



68 



/.V LAM EC IPS REIGN. 



"What else is fresh in memory," Jubal said. 
"And when prince Tubal Cain triumphant came 
What joy for all of us, for then you were 
My bride and Hannah his. And who can tell 
But when the years have passed, tho' lazy time 
May drop some phrases out, still may they love 
To speak of fair and virtuous Hannah, wife 
Of Tubal Cain, and him exceeding all 
In strength, expert and famous in great deeds, 
And Rhoda, lovely bride of Jubal, famed 
Musician and inventor of the harp ?" 



i 



